Radiator



H. GEORGE RADIATOR Filed Aug. 6, 1947 July 28, 1953 IN V EN TOR.

Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE` Application August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,853

In France April 25, 1941 Section 1,'Public Law 690,'-August 8,"1946 Patent expires April 25, 11961 (Cl. ,M9-.34).

21 Claims.

This invention relates to a radiator, to a iurnace, to a heater, and to a heating system.

The invention has as an object to transform electrical energy to heat and light, that is, to radiant energy, and the apparatus that accomplishes tl`= purpose is called a radiator. A particular object is to provide a radiator with a broad and, preferably but not necessarily, imperforate radiating surface, to concentrate the heat from that surface as desired, and to employ the principles of the new radiator in novel systems of and apparatus for heating or lighting.

Another particular object of the invention is to accomplish different degrees oi heating by electricity without the use of expensive current controllers.

According to 'the invention a radiator is provided that has an electrical resistance and electrical distributors that are relatively movable so that the current passes between the distributors through different parts oi the resistance, eventually heating the whole resistance to an eiective radiant temperature and keeping it at the temperature selected. An electric currentis made to pass, in a preferred form of the invention, from distributors through certain paths ci a refractory moving body having a certain amount of electrical conductivity when hot and possibly also,l when cold, having more or less conductivity, so that the paths are traversed in sequence by the body.

The application of electric energy to the surface of a moving resistance is done,'in'the Vpreferred forms of the invention, by distributors :of the contact type that ride the moving surface and are supplied by suitable conductors of current, or yof electrode type that establish electric arcs extending from the conductor to the'moving body and are similarly supplied. The number of distributors to be used depends on the kind of current employed, whether moncphase or polyphase and on the number of paths to be established. With three phase current three distributors may be used, and they establish three paths that are traversed and heated by the currents.

The moving surface is made in whole or-in part of material constituting a satisfactory electrical resistance, for instance of graphite, or of zirconia, magnesia, thoria, metallic silicates, tungsten, stainless steel or oi a mixture of metal grain'svand \metallic oxides. If the material is not suicienltly conductive in the cold, which is true of a--large number of refractory materials such as the metallic oxides and the silicates, they may be heated by moving the distributors so close together .that an arc plays between them so near to theresis'tance surface that the surface becomes conductive,

2 afterwhichthe distributors may be kmoved apart to the limit of conductivity of the paths.

The resistance surface has by preference the form of a circular or annular disk, which may be flat or curved, and which is made to turn about an axis perpendicular to its center.

When the materials-composing the moving surface might be `soit'ened 1or liquefied by the `action of the yheat to which they are subjectedthe axis of rotation is vertical.; if a concave disk is usedthe curvature of the disk is so selectedin advance that the kmaterials remain in equilibrium under the actionoi gravity and centrifugal force which are exerted on them. This may be accomplished by .calculating in advance the curvature of a surfacel with respect to apartcular speed and constructingthe surface with that curvature or it may .be adjusted in action by regulating the speed of rotation or the kspacing of the distributors.

The invention alsocontemplatesthe use of heat produced by thetran'sformation of energy described herein, reflective suriaces acting as secondary radiators Which receive their radiant energy fronivthe principal radiator and transmit it' to other places.

The annexed drawing shows by way of nonlimitative examples and in a schematic manner different Vmethods of carrying out the invention.

Figs.' 1 and 2 represent,4 respectively, a Vertical section and a plan View of a rotary radiator in the form of a dat circular disk on the surface'of which ride three distributors served by three phase current.

Figs. 3 and '4 represent, respectively, a vertical ysection 'and a plan viewof a rotary radiator in the form'of a concave circular disk supplied with electric current through electric arcs.

Fig. 5 represents in vertical section the rotary radiator in the form of a flat annular disk supplied with' 'electric current through electric arcs.

Fig; 6 repiesents'in"vertical section a fusion furnace' in the dome 4of which is located a rotary radiator :in the 'form of av flat circular disk supplied vwith'current"through means of electric arcs.

Figi-li? represents' a vertical section through a new heating system wherein lone Achamber contains a-principal radiatorsimilar-tothat of 3, from'fwhiehflheat `-isfIal'isorbed by atransfer radiat'or like that oi 'Fig.f5, and ldischarged'into' a Fig.: 8 represents awfverticalfsectionci a parabolic projector at the ffocus-'of which is disposeda radiator like that: off Fig. 3

In the drawing t,and referring riirst to the form of; .the'inventionvfdisclosed in Figs.v 1 and 2 nuaeevdef? meral 6 indicates a rotatable shaft which may be driven at different speeds by means not shown and which carries upon its top a support 5 having a circular flange. This hanged support is preferably made of highly heat resistant metal. Within and at the bottom of the hanged support is a mounting 4 having an annular recess in its center in which is seated a heat insulating bed 2 which carries upon its surface a circular graphite plate I having a bevelled edge. About the edge of the resistance I is a ring 3 which is composed of heat resistant materials. Materials 4, 2, and 3 are preferably both electrical and heat insulators at all the temperatures to which they are subjected.

The materials of which the various parts thus far described may be made are as follows: alumina grains or powder, quartz fibers, silica sand, lamp black for the heat insulated bed 2; bonded alumina or refractory clay for the ring 3; rammed refractory clay, or refractory blocks or bonded alumina for the mounting 4; steel, cast iron or stainless steel for the flanged support 5, but it would be obvious that the choice amongst the above mentioned materials depends upon the which are supplied by three phase current through conductors 8 only one of which is shown. The distributors themselves are composed of spring pressed copper contacts which ride upon the surface of the disk I and are retained under 'spring pressure within sleeves 1, the current by which they are supplied passing from the leads 3 to the sleeves I and mainly through the springs 9 to the contacts. As the shaft 6 and resistance I rotate, three paths of resistance are set up, that between electrodes 'la and 1b, that between 'la and 'Ic and that between 'Ib and 1c. Assuming clockwise rotation as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, the path la--lb will be heated by the current shown as one side of a triangle. As the turning continues the area thus heated moves away from the path la, 'Ib to a position shown in the first dotted triangle and thence to that shown in the second dotted triangle. As the heated zone liz-'ib moves from the position shown in the first triangle to the poheated zone moves from the position shown in the l second triangle to the position shown in the third triangle, a portion of it travels in path 'Ic-Ia and is further heated.

The triangle established by the three electrodes preferably spans the center of the disk and its rim so that the heating effect is experienced throughout the whole surface of the disk during each revolution of the disk. Each area of the disk is consequently repeatedly subjected to heating by current passing through the disk between the distributors.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the shaft l2, the flanged support 5' and the mounting 4 are the same as in Fig. 1 but the resistance disk Il is curved, being shown as concave and without bevels. The ring 3 is consequently without the overlap on the disk that is provided in Fig. 1. The heating elements in this form of the invention are three spark gap electrodes I3a, |35, l3c Which are furnished with electric current by appropriate conductors not shown and which are mounted so that they may be moved with respect to each other and with respect to the resistance II. In this they are similar to the contacts 'I of Fig. 1 which may also be moved toward and away from each other. In cases where the resistance I I is of material conductive when cold the electrodes may be spaced at any distance which the current can traverse. On the other hand, if the material of the disk becomes conductive only at higher temperature the electrodes may be moved together until an arc passes directly between them. As this arc plays in proximity to the surface of the moving disk II the disk becomes heated until it becomes sufciently conductive to carry the current. The electrodes may then be gradually moved away from each other until they eventually reach the most eicient operating distances.

The distance of the electrodes from the disk may be adjusted to give the most efdcient results for heating or for light. Furthermore, the lengths of the paths traversed through the resistances may be varied to change the output of the radiator. By thus varying the space relation of the distributors to each other, and to the resistance plate, control of output is attained Without the use of expensive and complex current modifying means outside the apparatus itself.

In Fig. 5 a shaft H suspends a flanged support 5" within which is a central ring 4D. About this ring is an annular mounting 4I, an annular heat insulating bed 42, an annular resistance 43 and inner and outer mounting rings 44, 45. Three electrodes lilaiib-IBC heat the portion of the ring 43 at the left of the figure, which transfers the heat throughout the path it travels. By this means the principles of the invention may be employed to transfer heat from electric distributors in one place to another location.

In Fig. G is a fusion furnace of novel design employing the principles of the invention set forth hereinabove. In this figure the numeral 23 indicates a rotatable shaft and numeral 22 indicates a radiator having a rotary resistance unit similar to that of Fig. l, and heating electrodes 24 similar to those of 3. The furnace itself is composed of a metallic base 52, which is of cylindrical section having end flanges 52-52. Within this base is a floor I9 of refractory material capable of retaining its form at the temperatures employed. rIhis may well be a section of a sphere or it may also be cylindrical like the base 52. On the other hand, the base 52 may be spherical. The base 52 is supported on rollers 54 so that the furnace may be rocked and tilted as desired in order to subject the parts of the materials therewithin to an equal treatment, or to ll and empty it. Projecting upward from the base 52 is a wall 20 having inclined sides. Above this wall is a dome 2l within which is heating unit 22. The rotary heating unit radiates heat on the floor of the furnace in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows an apparatus for heating remote chambers in accordance with principles of the invention. In this figure the structure 53 is provided with separate chambers 25-2` and, if desired, with other chambers not shown. In the chamber 25 is a radiator 2S constructed in accordance with the general principles of Figs. 3 and 4, the electrodes 3l for which pass adjustably through openings 84 in the wails of the chamber. Projecting through the ceiling S5 is a shaft 6' from which is suspended, in a ceiling ychamber 66,'a lrotary heat exchanger `21S-const'ructed in accordance with 'the generalr principles of Fig. 5, the' heat exchange annulus 35 of which passes in'one position over the'chamber and'in another position'over the chamber 21. Being annular, the' heat exchangev body is progressively heated by'thejra'ys `fromy the radiator ewhich has a `curvedfacethat concentrates the 'rays upon the exchanger 39:" The heated portions of the rotor 29 yarey then moved over the chamber 2l -and radiate `heat intuit. Other chambers may be arranged so thatv the most enicient use of heat is thus employed' 'withrout necessitating the employment of more than one complete radiator.y Thismethod is efcient and useful in a wide variety vof circumstances including the use in a circularj'furnace having `a located at the focus of aV parabolic reflector whichserves to proj ect'the rays of heat generated by electrodes Sli to a desired locality. Reflector 33 may be ci any satisfactory shape, depending on the purpose for which it is to be employed.

Anadvantage of the process according to the invention is to establish electric radiators by which the heat or light radiating therefrom may be controlled by the lengthbf the paths in the resistance that 'are traversed by the current, and by the speed of the rotation of the radiator.` This advantage is particularly noticeable whenusing the electric arc whichr produces intense heat Ain a -sm'all space, because it' is then possible to separate and regulate at will the heat radiated without having to adjust the power consumed by the arc by means of complicated and costly regulators.

Another advantage is in the isolation of electrical apparatus of high power from the rooms that are to be heated by them, which is accomplished by the use of a travelling heat exchanger that receives its heat by passing through an isolated heating chamber and gives it up in the rooms to be heated.

Another advantage is that the surface of the radiator, being movable, may be continuously held under current concentrations that would cause destructive overheating if applied to an immovable body. Consequently, the eiciency of the unit is greater than that of prior constructions operating on principles of electrical resistance.

Yet another advantage is persistence. In former constructions, effects persisted for only the briefest duration after the shutting off of the activating current, but in this construction there is persistence of effect over relatively long periods, and it is this persistence that makes possible the encient operation of devices related to, for instance, Figs. 7 and 5.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention cept as denned in the appended claims;

What is claimed is: v 1. A radiator element, constructed'for heating by electrical ycurrent distributors, includingiffa rotary, ilanged circular support,l a mounting `Within said'support, an 'insulating bed`r carried -by the mounting, an electrical'resistance plate carried by the bed, and an insulating ring surrounding the plate.

2. The element of claiml in which the plate is annular.

3. A furnace having alchamber includingfa dome, a Wall, and anlar'c'uate hoor and ba'sefrollers to support the'furnace forl tilting and="'rock ing motion upon its base, and "an--electricalfradiator within the dome1 including a rotary-electrical resistance plate and electrical current distributors so spaced with respect to eachother and 5to the plate that current passesV lsutvveen rthem through the plate;`

4. A heating system including ann electrical radiator having relatively movable'parts-v'including an electrical resistanceplate and electrical current distributors so spaced that' currentlpafss'es between them through the plate, and al'heatl-'ex changer supported for repeated movement through the beams of the radiator to a-pla'ceto be heated whereby it vis heated by the' radiation from the plate and gives up heat in theiplaee to be heated.

5. lThe system of claimfl in whi'ch-the ha'tvexchanger is an annulus.

6. The system of claimt in lWhicllithe radiator is in a chamber through which the annulus passes.

'7. The system of claim A6 in which the place to be heated is another chamber through which the annulus passes.

8. The system of `claim '7 in Whch'the annulus may be driven at diierent speeds.

9. The system of claim 4 in which the relatively movable parts are relatively movable 'at diiferent speeds.

10. The system of claim 4 in which the distributors are adjustable with respect to each other and to the plate.

11. The system of claim 4 in which the plate and the heat exchanger are both rotatable.

12. A heating system for a place having a room to be heated including a solid heat exchanger, power means to move the heat exchanger to a position to radiate heat into the room, and radiant means outside the room to heat the heat exchanger.

13. The method of transforming electrical energy to radiant energy that includes the steps of moving a graphite body progressively through a geometric gure composed of lines of polyphase current of heating intensity, and subjecting heated parts of the body to repeated passages of current.

14. A radiator including an electrical resistance plate of the classes consisting of heating and lighting materials having a broad surface, a plurality of spaced three-phase electrodes mounted in current delivering proximity to said surface, means to pass current from said electrodes to said surface and through said resistance, and means to move said resistance progressively and repeatedly through and across the path of the current flowing between said electrodes.

15. The radiator of claim 14 in which the three electrodes pass a triangle of current through said plate, the triangle including the center of rotation G of the plate and the center of the triangle being on one side of said center of rotation.

16. A radiator including an electrical resistance f the classes consisting of heating and lighting materials having a broad surface, a plurality of spaced electrodes of opposite polarity mounted in current delivering proximity to said surface, means to pass current from said electrodes to said surface and through said resistance, and means to move said resistance progressively and repeatedly through and across the path of the current owing between said electrodes in combination with a heat exchanger having a surface subject to the radiation from the said radiator, and having means to move the heated part of the exchanger to another place.

17. A radiator including an electrical resistance of the classes consisting of heating and lighting materials comprising a circular, circumferentially bevelled body, a circular insulating member having an enclosing bevel encircling the resistor, and a rotatable metal carrier supporting said resistor and insulator, a plurality of spaced electrodes of opposite polarity mounted in current delivering proximity to said surface, means to pass current from said electrodes to said surface and through said resistance, and means to move said resistance progressively and repeatedly through and across the path of the current flowing between said electrodes.

18. A radiator including an electrical resistance plate of the classes consisting of heating and lighting materials having a broad surface, a plurality of spaced polyphase electrodes mounted in current delivering proximity to said surface, means to pass current from said electrodes to said surface and through said resistance, and means to move said resistance progressively and repeatedly through and across the paths of the current owing between said electrodes.

19. A radiant energy generator including a conductive body of refractory, electrically resistant material having an extensive surface, and means to heat said body to a radiant state comprising a plurality of electrical distributors, means to support said distributors for movement with respect to each other and in current delivering proximity to said surface whereby to establish a line of resistance in said body through which current flows from distributor to distributor, means to supply said distributors from a source of electric current, and means to establish relative movement of said plurality of distributors and of said line of resistance with respect to said body, such motion proceeding in a direction across the said line of resistance, such means acting to progressively and repeatedly subject the body to the passage of the current whereby to maintain the body in a radiating state.

20. The generator of claim 19 in which the said surface of said body is concave and acts to concentrate the radiation emanating therefrom.

21. Radiant heat apparatus including a rotary electrical resistance plate, polyphase electrodes supported in current transmitting distance of said plate, means to move said electrodes out of current transmitting distance of each other, means to move parts of said plate repeatedly through the lines between said electrodes and past said electrodes to maintain said plate in radiant condition, and heat absorbing means mounted in the path of the radiation emanating from said plate.

HENRI GEORGE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 607,311 Werner July 12, 1898 794,255 Saunders July 11, 1905 958,855 Danne May 24, 1910 979,060 Cedergren Dec. 20, 1910 1,587,136 Appleby June 1, 1926 2,127,183 Moore Aug. 16', 1938 2,306,054 Guyer Dec. 22, 1942 2,313,068 Heineman Mar. 9, 1943 2,333,477 Duston Nov. 2, 1943 2,428,969 Guyer Oct. 14, 1947 

